Pharmacological interventions for improved colonic anastomotic healing: A meta-analysis

Figure 3 Effects of broad-spectrum matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors on anastomotic breaking strength (A) and morphology (B) on postoperative day 3. A: Forest plot of the results of the meta-analysis in N (cf. Table 4); B: Diminution of the gap between the two large bowel ends (indicated by double-headed arrows) after treatment with the broad-spectrum matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor (MMPi) GM6001 (left image) compared with the vehicle treatment (right image). The photomicrographs are representative of the overall significant (P < 0.05) effect of GM6001 (median: 320 μm) compared with the vehicle (median: 900 μm)[8].